Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.
Impact
The bill proposes significant changes to the administrative landscape of healthcare practice in Rhode Island. By allowing APRNs and others licensed in other states to practice via telemedicine without being subject to local licensing requirements under certain conditions, S0701 aims to alleviate some barriers that patients face when seeking timely care. This includes the requirement that providers maintain an active license and malpractice insurance, provided they have an established patient-provider relationship or have been involved in care coordination with local providers. Such provisions are expected to broaden the range of healthcare services available to residents, particularly in underserved areas.
Summary
Bill S0701 focuses on enhancing healthcare access in Rhode Island by allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), physician assistants, and physicians, regardless of their state of licensure, to provide telemedicine services to patients located in Rhode Island. This legislation acknowledges the growing importance of telemedicine in providing patient care, especially in light of recent shifts towards remote healthcare delivery due to increasing demand and public health needs. The bill establishes a framework for ensuring that healthcare provider services delivered electronically adhere to existing care standards that apply in traditional, in-person settings.
Contention
While the intent of S0701 is to enhance healthcare access, it also raises concerns among local healthcare professionals about the implications of permitting out-of-state providers to practice telemedicine in Rhode Island. Some stakeholders fear that this legislation might undermine local medical standards and the accountability of healthcare providers, particularly regarding patient safety and quality of care. Furthermore, there may be apprehension regarding the integration of telemedicine with existing healthcare systems and the ability to ensure continuity of care, particularly for patients transitioning from telehealth to in-person services.
Establishes that the elective and/or independent administration of propofol and all FDA classified general anesthetics for any surgery or procedure is not within the "scope of practice" of nurse practitioners as defined in ยง 5-34-3.
Protects the solvency of health systems, physicians, and advance practice providers and insurers, encourage fair treatment of hospitals and ensure adequate clinical workforce while advancing health equity.
Protects the solvency of health systems, physicians, and advance practice providers and insurers, encourage fair treatment of hospitals and ensure adequate clinical workforce while advancing health equity.
Prohibits any agreement whereby an advanced practice registered nurse is restricted in the right to practice in a certain geographic area, assist or provide treatment or establish a professional relationship with any other employer.
Prohibits any agreement whereby an advanced practice registered nurse is restricted in the right to practice in a certain geographic area, assist or provide treatment or establish a professional relationship with any other employer.
Allows an out-of-state health care practitioner to provide telehealth services to a patient located in this state if the services are consistent with the practitioner's scope of practice and state and federal professional standards.
Allows an out-of-state health care practitioner to provide telehealth services to a patient located in this state if the services are consistent with the practitioner's scope of practice and state and federal professional standards.
Requires insurance coverage for all services provided by a pharmacist provided coverage of such services would have been covered if provided by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.
Requires insurance coverage for all services provided by a pharmacist provided coverage of such services would have been covered if provided by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.
Defining in-state and interstate practitioners under the Kansas telemedicine act, establishing certain standards of care, requiring certain insurance coverage of in-state telemedicine services and establishing the Kansas telehealth advisory committee.
Defining in-state and interstate practitioners under the Kansas telemedicine act, establishing certain standards of care, requiring certain insurance coverage of in-state telemedicine services and establishing the Kansas telehealth advisory committee.